London, UK, Nov. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- London, 5 November 2024: AEG Europe has today announced that its 2024 London festival series has achieved coveted certification from not-for-profit sustainability specialists A Greener Future (AGF). American Express Presents BST Hyde Park has been awarded the Greener Festival Highly Commended Certification, with All Points East accredited in the Commended category.
Attended by hundreds of thousands of music fans, and with line-ups featuring legendary global performers including Stevie Nicks, Andrea Bocelli, Loyle Carner and LCD Soundsystem, AEG’s 2024 London festival series at Hyde Park and Victoria Park were the most sustainable yet, with several new initiatives contributing to minimising the environmental impacts across the Capital’s green spaces.
A Greener Future is the founder of the world's first sustainability standard for festivals and events, and its framework has been used to guide, assess and certify hundreds of events, festivals, and venues worldwide since 2007, providing independent audit and external verification to organisers. AGF’s Highly Commended accreditation awarded to BST Hyde Park signifies a well-managed, environmentally aware festival, which has taken significant steps to reduce waste, reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and engage the audience in sustainability initiatives.
Following a rigorous assessment process, AEG Europe achieved certifications for both London festivals after onsite visits by qualified assessors, leading to detailed analysis of areas of sustainability including transport, energy and power, waste, water usage, local environment, CO2 and food and beverages.
During this summer’s BST Hyde Park and All Points East festivals, a number of sustainable initiatives were implemented including removing carbon emissions with Carbon Char Store and partnerships with fan travel tracking tool, Lowr, and Keep Britain Tidy. An improved waste segregation system and on-site baling of waste at BST Hyde Park also saw AEG able to improve recycling rates year-on-year, demonstrating the company’s continued commitment to catalysing the influence of live entertainment to preserve the planet and safeguard it for future generations.
Speaking to the accreditation, Jim King, CEO of AEG Presents’ European Festivals division, said: “Achieving certification from A Greener Future is more than just a milestone for us; it’s a commitment to our fans, our artists, and the communities we serve. Our fans have always shown us that they care deeply about sustainability, and by meeting these rigorous standards, we’re honouring not only our values, but theirs. I’m incredibly proud of what our team has achieved.”
Upon awarding AEG with its latest sustainable certifications, Natasha Wales-Dixon, Senior Assessor of A Greener Future, said, "BST Hyde Park was notable this year for its efforts to reduce impact through onsite baling of waste, which in turn reduced the impact from vehicles required for transport from site. The improvements made to sorting and compacting waste locally to the site were considered very impressive by AGF assessors and was noted to decrease the impact of the event significantly. These efforts were coupled with excellent communication to the teams onsite, including contractors and volunteers, related to their understanding of why waste segregation is so important and the role they play in it.”
She added: “In addition to the waste segregation, BST Hyde Park implemented a food grading system which analyses the carbon impact of meals served onsite, and whilst in its infancy, this will undoubtedly evolve and offer further improvements in coming years."
Sustainability is a key driver behind business decisions at AEG, which has seen the company make history with various award-winning ESG initiatives across its venue and festival portfolio. This includes the world-first carbon removed concerts held during The 1975’s residency at The O2 Arena in February 2024.
Acting as the driving force behind AEG Europe’s sustainability directives, Sam Booth, Director of Sustainability, said: “In an industry where it’s tough to bring down emissions, our commitment to sustainability extends beyond rhetoric, to tangible actions that set new benchmarks for the live industry. We’re pleased to see that the teams responsible for driving our sustainable initiatives forward have been recognised by AGF. Accreditations like this demonstrate to both those operating in the live sector, and the fans we entertain, that as a leader in the space we’re helping to not only preserve the planet but also the future of live entertainment.”
Following the AGF certification, AEG’s BST Hyde Park and All Points East festivals have been shortlisted for the coveted UK Greener Festival Award, for demonstrating outstanding success in reducing their environmental impacts and changing the industry for the better.
AEG has recently announced the first headliners for BST Hyde Park 2025, with performances from Noah Kahan, Hugh Jackman, Zach Bryan and ELO. Next years All Points East will also see the reunion of The Maccabees, who will headline Victoria Park in August 2025.
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Media enquires can be directed to communications.team@aegeurope.com
About AEG Europe:
AEG Europe creates communities, places and spaces that deliver memorable moments through live entertainment and sports, giving the world reason to cheer.
AEG Europe is a subsidiary of AEG, the world’s leading sports and live entertainment company. AEG Europe’s extensive portfolio of live entertainment and sports assets across the region includes: an array of best-in-class venues, such as The O2 and Eventim Apollo in London; Barclays Arena in Hamburg; Uber Arena, Uber Platz and Uber Eats Music Hall in Berlin; and Accor Arena in Paris; as well as renowned music festivals, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park in London and Rock en Seine in Paris. Our venues host some of the world’s best sports events and are home to prestigious sports franchises, including AEG’s own Berlin Eisbären ice hockey team at the Uber Arena.
Colleagues across Europe work together to create world-class live entertainment and sports experiences. AEG’s venue teams develop and operate best-in-class arenas and districts; AEG Presents promotes and manages concerts and tours, oversees renowned venues and produces some of the world’s leading music festivals; AXS Ticketing connects fans to events through specialist technology solutions; and AEG Global Partnerships links corporate brands into the company’s world-leading network of assets.
About American Express presents BST Hyde Park
Set in London’s beautiful Royal Park, BST Hyde Park kicked off in 2013 with The Rolling Stones reliving their legendary 1969 gig, plus Bon Jovi, Lionel Richie and many more packing out the park for memorable summer nights.
The event has featured many now famous shows from Carole King, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Adele, The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift, Robbie Williams, Black Sabbath, Take That, Kylie Minogue, The Who, Blur, Kendrick Lamar, The Strokes, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Lana Del Rey and so many more.
Every year, each headliner is joined by a full supporting line-up across multiple stages, from major superstars to handpicked developing acts performing for fans from across the UK and the world.
And the midweek programme allows free access to the site with outdoor cinema, street food markets, children’s theatre, fitness classes, summer sports screenings, evening events, live music and much more.
About A Greener Future
AGF is a not-for-profit company committed to helping events, festivals and venues around the world towards sustainability. AGF provides certification, education and training, consultancy, resources and green riders, facilitating the exchange and implementation of good ideas. They share information about how environmentally efficient methods are currently being employed at events and how the impact on the environment can be limited at future events. They offer independent assessment and verification of sustainability claims through the AGF Certification for festivals, venues, tours and events, Sustainability Diagnosis and detailed Carbon Footprinting. www.agreenerfuture.com
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